RV TV and Internet Entertainment
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 28 дек 2018
- #ilovervlife #rvtv #rvinternet Everyone has a different reason for RV Life. Some have weekends and a short vacation to get away. They enjoy a good book and some quite time without the TV in the background. Or more so, escaping from the social media demands of the Internet.
Other, such as Joan and I, either full time or spend extended months on the road and our RV is our home. Just like our lives in a sticks and bricks home, we want the same creature comforts in our RV and this includes the TV channels of interest along with reasonable WiFi service as we travel from destination to destination.
Internet can be a challenge. From phones, tablets, laptops and desktops, our Internet demands continue to grow. With the wide range of video entertainment streaming services, finding a quality WiFi signal in a campground can be challenging if not impossible. Most campground WiFi is intended for casual use from web surfing, a little Facebook and email. It can be cost prohibitive for the campground provider to ensure a high-bandwidth connection is available for every camper that is capable of streaming video.
There are other alternatives for high-bandwidth Internet with limited use restrictions offerwd by cellular providers and is now becoming more affordable. Most recently, Verizon offered a Pre-Pay hot spot service with unlimited usage for $70 per month and $5 off this amount if you set up credit card billing. We have been using this Pre-Pay service for several months with no issues. You can go to Verizon's Pre-Pay Web Site or visit a Verizon store. Be aware that the Verizon sales person may not know of the offer. I personally had this issue. You can share the Verizon Internal Sales code of 28366 and this will help the sales person set up your account. One final note. These plans come and go. There's no guarantee this plan is still offered as you're reading this post.
Equally useful is the Dish Outdoor program and the wide array of products offered for satellite TV service. For a couple hundred dollar investment in equipment, the RV traveler can have high quality video entertainment along with over 50 popular channels for only $34.99 a month plus tax. If you are an existing Dish subscriber, you can purchase a receiver and dish antenna, and receive your home programming for an additional $7 a month.
There are numerous options available for satellite antennas from a home style dish on a tripod to one of the automated versions that at the time of this video range from $299 to over a thousand dollars. Each automated satellite antenna has its pros and cons and application for use. These automated antennas are easy to set up and configure and within minutes of setup, you can be watching HD quality video in your RV.
Below are products discussed in this video.
Dish Playmaker - amzn.to/2RpGI9W
King Tailgater - amzn.to/2VjfZLg
Winegard Pathway X2 - amzn.to/2Rh30e8
Dish Wally HD receiver - amzn.to/2BHhKsI
ilovervlife.com/rv-accessories/ Check out our RV Accessories where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those "nice to have" RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we've traveled across the country in our RV.
Visit our website for more I Love RV Life travels, tips and camper modifications at ilovervlife.com
Music by: [No Copyright Music] ON AND ON - Nicolai Heidlas Music - • Video
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
It's nice to have some type of service for those rainy days. This video has been very helpful! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
I've actually set up a TV system for a rv recently. Ran off coax and hdmi all tvs display the same image except the master bedroom tv. Was a fun project
That would have been fun.
I think I would put that unit up on top of the RV to discourage theft! ;)
We chain and lock it to the 5th wheel bumper just in case.
Ty ty. Great info.
Hi John. Glad we could share,
Great info., thank you!
You bet! Glad to share.
You do a awesome job!! Thanks for info.....
Thanks so much Laura. Really glad to help. Jerry...
Jerry, hope we get to meet you sometime soon. You are the Bomb!! Perry and I love watching you and Joan on your journeys. Stay safe, drive right and have a blast
Thanks so much Jayne. The RV life style makes this a much smaller world. We meet viewers all the time. So much fun sharing our travels. Joan and I hope we get a chance to meet you and Perry in the near future. Jerry...
Thanks Jerry! You always give the best information and make it so simple. Great video.
Thanks so much Marcia. Glad I could help.
If you have Dish at your house, you can use the Dish Anywhere app on anything running android. I have a Galaxy View that has an 18 inch screen and you can move it around any where you want to watch Dish, plus it is a fully functional tablet. You can also get a Zotac computer that will plug into one of the HDMI ports on your TV and watch Dish over the Internet. The Zotac is a fully functional Windows computer, except it doesn't have CD/DVD drives. It's a small box, but with a dongle you can use a wireless keyboard and mouse with it.
Thanks Lane. There are a bunch of options once or if you can get good Internet. We also use a Doo Goobang Andriod Box simular to what you're doing with Zotac.
I can remember in 97 where we had a dish on a tripod in Athens and had a line painted in the lot where we had assigned parking and put our front bumper on the line to get through the trees and it was manual setup and you tuned by ear. They have come a long way.
Long way! I did the manual thing for some time. This is a breeze.
I am another happy Verizon pre-paid hotspot user. Thanks for sharing your experience you are always a pleasure to watch.
Glad we could help. Once you get the hotspot, so many options open up for entertainment.
Great Video. Thanks for making it :)
Thanks Lex. Glad we could share.
Thanks Jerry for this RV TV and internet entertainment video. This helps me understand what is available while out traveling. Blessings to you and Joan. Happy New Year to y'all as well! Look forward to seeing more videos come 2019 from you fine friendly folks. Stay safe out there ya hear!!
Thanks much. Glad we could share some entertainment options. Happy New Year to you all too. Looking forward to 2019!
Purchased an 2000 Xplorer 230 XLW class B van today & I'm looking to travel cross country. Been researching various options for internet & extended wifi services as my long term goals include traveling North America & eventually South America. Not a huge TV watcher but use Netflix & Hulu & have Firestick as well.
Your video is great & explains exactly what I needed to know. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Thanks Susan. These plan offerings change constantly. There’s a Verizon plan now that offers “unlimited”, but has some rate caps. Just check the sites and if a good unlimited offer pops up, grab it. It may be gone the next day.
Happy New Year Jerry. Yes i have the wally dish systems with Pathfinder satellite the x 2 orsom system
Hi John. Thanks and Happy New Year. We’ve had good success with ours. Good TV entertainment and very easy set up. Jerry...
Great Video, very informative, Thank you... Happy New Year!
Thanks much Joanie. Happy New Year to you all. Jerry...
Hello Jerry. This video is great. We are putting our house up for sale in a few short months and we plan on going full time traveling the United States. I had budgeted $200 a month for TV on the road. Sure I will have some upfront costs but after I buy what you recommended in your video, my budget for tv will be cut over half. I watched your video last night and again this morning. I then went on a mission to research everything you told me in your video. This is the way I will go for TV. We currently have Direct TV in our Sticks and Bricks house. I like you have a firestick on three of my TVs. Dish TV is the way to go.
Thanks much for the kind comment. Going this route has saved us over $1000 a year. Sure, we lost some function by not using the high end DVR, but that's no big deal. The savings paid for the equipment in 5 months. Plus, the X2 is on sale now and you can save another $100. That almost pays for the Wally and an external hard drive. If you do go this route, be aware the hard drive must be 2TB or less and external powered. Here a link amzn.to/2BOMUyE/ Safe travels. Jerry...
Extremly helphul. Thanks
Glad we could share Mel.
I followed your link for the antenna. Amazon is doing a bundle with the Wally receiver that is a better ‘deal’ then buying each unit separately. Thanks for this information.
Thanks for sharing Ernie.
I always enjoy your videos - we also use Dish satellite with the Winegard antenna and Verizon internet when traveling. Both are very good although out west Verizon has a few gaps.
Thanks much Susan. Glad we can share. I also have an AT&T backup just in case.
Man, you are a warehouse of useful information. Happy to subscribe. My own personal electronic guru!!!😂❤️🌹
I mean that in the best possible way.
Thanks a bunch Shirley. Glad to share.
Can you use this setup at home as well instead of cable?
Absolutely. Nothing unique in the services shown, just how we us in our RV travels.
Jerry, this was a really helpful video. Thank you for posting it. We have the exact same DISH setup that you do for our TV viewing with the Winegard. Still researching the best internet options, however I am curious if you (or anyone else on here) has explored using the DISH upgrade to get broadband internet through your DISH versus the Verizon Jet Pack route? Sorry if this was mentioned someplace and I just missed it. Like you, my work requires a high speed reliable connection so I am evaluating my options. I will say, I installed the WeBoost with the external antenna last weekend and am disappointed so far as it didn't seem to have much effect on boosting my cell signal. At the campground I was staying I was picking up a very low 5G signal on my AT&T Samsung phone and noticed little to no difference when the WeBoost was installed and running. Thanks again,
Hi Scott. Thanks much. Glad we could help. I believe Dish is a resell agent for local wireline products. I haven’t heard if Dish is reselling VerizonWireless services. Traveling corporate and now business on the road in an RV, high speed, reliable Internet was one of our larger expenses. $65 p/mo pre pay for Verizon is a great deal. Will be interesting to see how long it lasts. Interesting about your WeBoost. Spacing between the outside and inside antenna is critical. Two close and it won’t work. I use an older 6620L MiFi that has a connector for an external antenna. Had good luck so far booting the signal with a marine style antenna on a painters pole in fringe area.
If you have internet,,get a Roku device or a smart tv,,Roku can give you direct TV or DishTV for like $20.00,, Yout don't have to mess with receiver
We have one and use on occasion, but Internet can be hit or miss on the road. Distance from the tower can be an issue and many times, campground Internet gets overloaded.
Do you use some sort of exterior booster for your cell signal? Ever run into poor cell reception?
Hi Timothy. Haven't needed a booster yet. So expensive. I do have a 10db external antenna that I've put on a painter's pole a couple times. This connects to an antenna port on the hot spot. I use both AT&T and Verizon. Usually one of these works.
Hey Jerry. That was great info on both and good detail. We have not began our adventures yet but I’m learning as much as possible and this is two subjects that help a lot. I see many people do use a hot spot to get internet and then many trying to enhance with roof antennas and then one in RV so as to use phone, fire stick etc. So with that verizon hot spot you seem to be just using it alone. How many feet can you get away from it. Like maybe its setting close to TV to watch tv and then the other is using the iPad. How far can you get from it. Bedroom, out front of RV in chairs? I have seen some of the little antennas put in RV you cant get 10 ft away and start losing signal. And then the cell phone itself can be a hot spot and an iPad can tag to it or fire stick. Already have to pay for that data plan and all this adds up quick. Are you saying that the Verizon hot spot is pulling better signal than the cell phone? I have never used one. When we camp we have been using the phone as hot spot. No I cant use it at same time I get that but another 70 bucks adds up. Or is it just a convenience? Or yes they probably throttle down my cell phone data at some point too, not sure. Now that automatic dish setup is the coolest. Remember back with my friends in a RV going to nascar races and putting that antenna on the bucket and us yelling back and forth to find signal. The memories. LOL I haven’t really looked into to it much yet and wow what a cool idea. But I did hear you say that line had too be dedicated so I went to their website and read a bit. See that it goes directly to Wally. But Wally is an RF controlled. So it seems to me that the Walley could be in cargo compartment where the coaxial RV connection is and then the RV wiring would route to the TV’s. Same channel but a way to use existing lines I guess. Either way a great way to watch TV. And funny you said locking up while as was watching that I was seeing some kids grabbing it and off it goes. If your in a very wooded spot are you screwed. You did mention about the rain. Remember years ago when I had dish , rain meant no signal, sure antennas much better but you did seem to say the this one wasn’t effected by rain. Can it handle some trees or is that still a no go. Thanks for all your info. It is very helpful and appreciated. Have a great New Year!!!
Great to hear from you. Couple of things to think about. The unlimited phone plans aren’t unlimited. They have some form of cap tied to them and plans vary. For us, we need reliable bandwidth for the business too and finding plans that have little to no restrictions is important. With web development and video work, then you add some entertainment in the mix and you’ve burned through a 100 gigs + of data before you know it. Most phone plans won’t support this activity. You also loose the “phone” while using the hotspot. For a mix of pleasure and business, the hot spot is the only option. The hotspot we use is a router too and supports 10 connections so you can run tablets, laptops, Firestick, Roku, etc. at the same time. Distance from the hotspot is around 15 to 20 feet, but this depend on the walls in the RV. The more open, the more distance. I had the unit in the Window to improve the cellular connection. That changes depending on our location based on the window closest to the cell tower. For the satellite service, you still get rain fade, but the larger the dish the less the fade. The X2 we use has one of the larger dishes in the portable line. You still need clear line of site to the satellite. Trees are a no no. That’s one of the benefits of a portable dish vs. one on a roof. You can move it around on your site for that clear view. For security, there’s always something to tie it to, a tree or a fence post. Glad we could share. Hope you all have a Happy New Year. Jerry...
I Love RV Life Hey thanks for the response. That’s what I kinda figured. I’m with ya, the hot spot is the way to go. That X2 seems like a really good idea. By the time I’m ready it might an X4. LOL. Just went by a RV dealer for kicks again and boy I’m telling you. The workmanship in different models sitting on lots is not good. I know some dealers probably do a better job fixing stuff but it gives a dim picture on how they arrive from the plants. Doors, trim, chairs. Jezzzzz I’m telling you. If I owned a dealer I have it locked up before I’d let people see how crappy some are. It didn’t seem to matter if you went through a cheaper one or the big Montana one. Doors don’t work. Drawers crappy. Tables wobble. Every time I go I get so disappointed in the whole thing. I don’t know who builds a quality one but I haven’t found it. Ha. Happy New Year 🎊 and Thanks for your insight.
Workmanship can be an issue. Maybe a 1 or 2 year later model someone wants to sell. You can find a good one with little use sometimes. They've worked out the bugs.
I just watch this video is was good. I do have a question what router would you recommend?
Thanks Marie. Not sure of your router needs. If all wireless, the hot spot is a router too. My 6620 for example will support 10 wireless connections. Plenty for our tablets, PC and even our phones when we're in the RV.
Hey, thanks for info I was thinking we would need a router. I will check into this before we begin our travel. Our concern was just to be able to have internet and entertainment when come back from exploring areas. Our daughter purchased the fire stick for us and can’t wait to use it. We also went ahead and signed up with Dish for rv. Thank you for responding to my question have been a little nervous of what we would actually need. This makes simple for just the two of us. We are retired and not looking to work just enjoy life.
Marie
P.S. be safe and blessed
Glad to help Marie. It's very easy to use and plenty of support if you ever need help. Safe travels. Jerry...
That was an excellent video! If you sign up for Dish and you only use it for two months, do you have to pay for the whole year or can you just pay for the months you are using it? Also, I’m a little confused about why you need a Firestick if you have the satellite. Can you explain? Thanks.
Thanks much Cecilia. Dish has a service called Outdoors. It’s based on their Flex plan. It’s a pre-pay month-to-month service and can be turned off or on with no penalty. It’s also ala cart so you have some flexibility in the programming you want to view. We’re Amazon Prime members and use the Firestick to watch free movies. As an example, if we couldn’t find something on program TV, we’d catch up on the next episode of Heartland on Prime. Just nice to have programming options for rainy days. Jerry...
Not sure what you mean by the Mobley being capped-not getting unlimited anymore. I know you can’t buy the Mobley plan anymore, but I have two and they both still provide unlimited data.
Hi Scott. You’re right. The old Mobley unlimited plans are unlimited, but the plan is capped. I should have been clearer with that choice of wording that you can’t purchase this plan any longer. I also have 2 Mobleys under the unlimited plan and they work well.
Do you ever travel to Canada? What would you use if you did? We are planning a month long Canadian Maritimes trip and I would like to be able to watch tv and movies and youtube in the evenings before bed.
We haven’t made it to Canada in the RV yet. From our discussion with others, cell data is very expensive. Unfortunately I don’t know of a cost effective option to consider.
I have a King Tailgater Pro with East and West arcs.
For NBC, ABC CBS and FOX thru Distant Network Services I get them out of LA.
That works. Great tip.
Hi Jerry,
Love your videos and the wealth of information you share - you mentioned securing/chaining the winegard and are just wondering how you accomplish that when you’re in a campground, as the stand seemed quite far away from your RV? Thanks again and maybe we will run into you guys one of these days.
Thanks for the kind comment. There’s always something to chain the dish to, a tree, fence, the 5th wheel, something unmovable. I try to limit the coax cable length to 50 feet, that’s usually enough distance to find a clear spot. If you look at some of the other videos on the channel, you’ll notice the dish and see the heavy duty cable we use to secure. RV living makes this a small world. We run into viewers all the time. Hope we get a chance to see you all. Jerry...
Why did you go with a portable system over a mounted system?
Hi Richard. Two reasons. First price. Second and more important, we are often in places with trees. With the portable I have a much better chance of finding a clear shot. Also with the X2 I have the option of using either the western or eastern arc. Again, two opportunities to find a clear shot through the trees. With the fixed, you just don’t have these options.
Is this a month to month plan or do you have to sign up for a yearly plan?
Hi Eric. If you're referring to the Verizon data plan, it's pre-pay month to month. Here's a link www.verizonwireless.com/prepaid/ Go to the section Tablet & Jetpack Plans and you'll see an option for the unlimited plan. If you're asking about the Dish Flex Plan, it's month to month pre-pay too. I did call Dish a couple of months after installing everything and they offered a $20 discount if I signed a 1 year contract. Big savings and I took it. But again, this wasn't required. You can find out more from the Dish Outdoor Offering. Jerry...
Hi do the stand come with the winegard
It doesn’t. It’s a $67 option, but the adjustable legs makes it easy to level the unit and keeps dirt and sand out of the lower part. Here’s a link with more details amzn.to/2X2bCVd
i understand the price of the hardware, but what is the price dish charges for the service? just wondering...thanks
We have the Flex package. Here’s a link with channels and cost. my.dish.com/flex-pack
How do u protect your dish from theft?
I have a long, very heavy duty cable used to secure bikes and motorcycles. The dish antenna has a security loop built in at the bottom. I’ll pad lock to the 5th wheel, a tree, usually something that won’t move nearby. If somebody wants to steal it, they could. But they are going to have to work very hard to get it. On note, if I was in the desert boondocking and planned to be away for the day, I’d probably unhook and lock up in the storage bay. Just set back in place and 19 minutes later you’re watching TV.
65.00 what?
Cellular hotspot Internet. This plan has been grandfathered.
Are you able to still get unlimited...more than 20gig a month on the pre pay without slowing down? Have you needed a wifi booster??? About to hit the road and trying to get all I need for work and play.
Hi Darcy. With this prepaid plan it’s unlimited. So far, we haven’t needed a booster. I have an external antenna that connects to the MiFi, but I’ve only used twice in the last couple of years. This may change we we head west this fall. Make sure you follow the link for the plan in the description. The Verizon sales folks usually aren’t up on the prepaid plans.
@@iLoveRVlife thank you. Yes I went to my local verizon and they had to get back with me. I had watched your video and told them the info I got. We are heading to pacific nw this summer so curious about the wifi boosters. Been looking and it looks like a $500 bill and a hole in the rv and not keen on drilling a hole in an rv! Thinking about the car one with a magnetic antenna I can set out when we need it but again its $500. working people need wif!
Diane, I purchased mine online and received via FedEx 4 days later. Super simple. Go to this link www.verizonwireless.com/prepaid/. Go about halfway down and you’ll see the unlimited hotspot plan for $65 using a credit card for monthly billing. There always seems to be a lack of knowledge in the Verizon stores about prepaid. For some reason there’s little education on these plans. I use an aluminum painter pole I bungee to the ladder and a marine style 10db cellular antenna. I crack open the back window and slip the cord inside. I’m sure they will arise when I’ll need a booster. So far, this works well.
You mentioned you use a separate hard drive in order to use the Walley receiver as a DVR. Is that just a standard external hard drive you can buy at Best Buy? I assume it hooks up via USB to the receiver? Also, you said the cost was $40 monthly. Is that on a mobile type plan or do you have a fixed location plan and then just take a receiver with you? Thank you for your help. We are getting ready to start full-timing and want to get our ducks in a row before we hit the road.
Hi Kenneth. So glad you found the video helpful. I know I covered a ton of information. Let me see if I can clear up a few issues. External Hard Drive - You can use any external drive, but it must be 2Tb or less and be external powered. Here's once that will work amzn.to/2BOMUyE To have the DVR service on a Wally, it's only a one-time fee of $40. No monthly charges apply for DVR. You can acquire any Dish programming plan to work with the Wally. We prefer the Flex Plan. You have a base of about 50 channels and then purchase the add-ons as needed. During College Football season, we purchase the tier with ESPN and SEC football. After the season, we turn off till next year. Saves $22 a month. When we can't pick up locals on the off-air antenna, we add the local tier, the turn off later if not needed. Saves another $12 a month. Wanted Fox News and Fox Business. Adds $10 a month. That's the beauty of the plan. Using this as a pay as you go plan, saves us over $1,000 a month. But, if if you want any of the other plans that included every channel, this will work too. Hope this helps. Wish you the best with the full time travel. Hope to see you along the way. Jerry...
Does the Wally package get FOX News?
Allow me to share how we use this plan. You’re open to purchase any package and line up. We use the Flex pack. It’s ala cart. I get around 50 channels in the base. Then add an expanded news line up with Fox and Fox Business along with a few others for $10. Here’s the beauty of this plan. During college football, I add a sports line up with ESPN and the SEC network. Once the Sugar Bowl is shown, I’ll turn off until next year and save $22 a month. We use the off air antenna for locals. If we’re in a area where we can use the antenna, we turn off satellite locals, save $12 a month. Something else. I called Dish to see if they offered any deals once I had all up and running for a month or so. They didn’t have anything I was interested in, but offered a $20 per month discount if I signed a 1 year contract. Moving to this Flex plan has saved us over a $1,000 a year. That’s a lot of diesel!
Whilst I have you, are you a “Thousand Trails “ member?
We’re not members. At this time, it doesn’t work for us.
We are researching joining. It seems good BUT......
Agree Bill. Seems to be some marginal campgrounds in the mix. For us, most are not in the areas we travel to.